Compared with oral iron, intravenous iron represents an attractive intervention to treat both iron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disease.1 Earlier intravenous iron formulations were associated with anaphylaxis, though rare, but several intravenous iron formulations with better safety profiles are now available.2 In contrast to oral iron and its side effects that relate to gastrointestinal intolerance and reduced absorption from the small intestine, intravenous iron bypasses the gut. Consequently its absorption is not blocked by hepcidin, a peptide associated with anaemia of chronic disease.1 Intravenous iron may also improve mobilisation of iron stores, which is impaired with anaemia of chronic disease.3